The Xizang Autonomous Region has witnessed a remarkable transformation in public scientific literacy over the past six decades, evolving from a largely uninformed population to a society where science drives social stability and high-quality development. This progress was highlighted by Zhang Hongwei, vice-chairman of the regional association for science and technology, during a recent press conference. He emphasized that the region’s efforts to promote science began shortly after Xizang’s peaceful liberation, with the establishment of basic science boards in towns. Today, the proportion of scientifically literate residents has surged from a mere 0.1% in 2010 to 7.6% in 2023, marking a 75-fold increase. This growth is particularly pronounced among young adults aged 18 to 39, as well as farmers and herders. Xizang now boasts a regional natural science museum, 14 mobile science museum exhibits, and over 300 school-based science museums, ensuring county-level coverage. Additionally, 86 science caravans traverse the region, supported by bilingual science materials and multimedia programs. The region has also extended science outreach to monks, nuns, and grassroots officials, achieving full social group coverage. Digital platforms have further bridged geographical barriers, enabling remote communities to explore advanced fields like astronomy and artificial intelligence. Science education in schools has become a cornerstone of curiosity and discovery, with students like Tsering Yudron expressing newfound fascination with scientific principles. This comprehensive approach underscores Xizang’s commitment to fostering a scientifically literate society.
作者： admin
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New chip sharpens, widens views of the universe
Chinese researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking spectroscopic chip, named RAFAEL (Yuheng in Chinese), which promises to revolutionize the way we observe the universe. Developed by a team at Tsinghua University, this chip, no larger than a mobile phone SIM card, combines exceptional resolution with a panoramic view, enabling sharper, faster, and wider scans of the cosmos. The findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature on October 15, 2025.
Traditional high-resolution spectrometers are often cumbersome and heavy, but RAFAEL’s compact design allows it to be mounted on satellites or deep-space probes, opening new possibilities for mapping the universe’s spectral data. According to Fang Lu, the research leader and professor at Tsinghua University’s Department of Electrical Engineering, the chip can capture full spectral data with sub-angstrom resolution for approximately 10,000 stars per second. This capability could reduce the time needed to compile complete spectra for all stars in the Milky Way from thousands of years to under a decade.
The chip’s core innovation lies in its ability to resolve the long-standing trade-off between resolution and field breadth in spectral imaging. By employing advanced computational imaging methods and reconfigurable integrated photonics based on lithium niobate, the team achieved snapshot spectroscopy with 10-megapixel-level spatial resolution and sub-angstrom spectral resolution across visible and near-infrared wavelengths. This allows the chip to discern light wavelengths down to ten-millionths of a millimeter and detect the slightest energy variations while capturing wide-field scenes in high detail.
Fang emphasized that this new technique surpasses existing international counterparts in snapshot spectroscopy, improving spectral resolution by two orders of magnitude. The on-chip prototype measures just 2 centimeters in length and width, with a depth of 0.5 centimeters, making it highly portable and adaptable for future space and astronomical applications.
The technology’s potential extends beyond astronomy, with promising applications in material identification, plant health, autonomous driving, and atomic spectroscopy. Operations are already underway to integrate the chip into large-aperture telescopes at observatories in Xinglong County (Hebei Province), Lijiang (Yunnan Province), and the Canary Islands (Spain).
Fang concluded that this study marks the beginning of a new era in intelligent photonics, pushing the boundaries of what light can reveal about the universe.
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Government shutdown reaching historic record
The United States is grappling with its longest full government shutdown in history, now entering its third week with no resolution in sight. The shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has surpassed previous records, becoming the third-longest in US history. If it continues beyond Tuesday, it will surpass the 21-day shutdown of 1995, positioning it as the second-longest shutdown ever. The longest shutdown remains the 35-day partial closure during Donald Trump’s first term from December 2018 to January 2019.
The repercussions of the shutdown are intensifying, affecting critical sectors across the nation. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a key agency under the Department of Energy responsible for overseeing the US nuclear stockpile, has begun furloughing employees. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that up to 1,400 workers could be furloughed, with only 400 federal employees and contractors remaining on duty. The NNSA also plays a crucial role in managing nuclear materials globally, raising concerns about international security.
In the health sector, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were forced to skip IDWeek, the largest annual gathering of infectious disease experts. This comes at a critical time, following recent surges in measles and whooping cough across the US. The CDC, which typically sends numerous researchers to such events, had only a handful of scientists listed as speakers, none of whom attended due to the shutdown.
The cultural and tourism sectors are also feeling the strain. Major attractions like the Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo have closed their doors to the public. The US Travel Association estimates that the travel economy is losing $1 billion weekly as visitors cancel trips to national parks, historic sites, and Washington, DC. Additionally, the Small Business Administration has halted its loan programs, affecting 1,600 small businesses that rely on approximately $860 million in weekly funding.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported air traffic controller shortages, leading to flight delays in major cities such as Nashville, Dallas, and Newark. The shutdown has also disrupted flood insurance policy issuances and renewals, delaying mortgage closings and real estate transactions.
Public opinion remains divided on who is to blame for the impasse. According to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, roughly 60% of US adults hold Republicans in Congress responsible, while 54% attribute the shutdown to Democrats.
The economic impact is significant, with Oxford Economics estimating that the shutdown reduces economic growth by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points weekly. A prolonged shutdown could lead to a 1.2 to 2.4 percentage point reduction in quarterly growth. Major infrastructure projects, including a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River and an extension of New York City’s Second Avenue subway, have been put on hold, along with $7.6 billion in grants for clean energy projects across 16 states.
As the shutdown continues, nearly 750,000 of the federal government’s 2.3 million civilian employees are furloughed daily, while others deemed ‘excepted’ continue to work to protect life, property, and essential services. The nation awaits a resolution as the shutdown’s effects ripple through every sector of American life.
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Early winter flu surge predicted
Health authorities in China are bracing for an earlier-than-usual flu season this winter, driven by a different strain from last year’s dominant virus. Experts are urging the public, particularly high-risk groups, to get vaccinated promptly to mitigate the potential impact. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a rise in flu activity in southern China, while northern regions remain relatively unaffected. Typically, flu season peaks between late November and February, but this year’s outbreak is expected to arrive sooner, mirroring trends observed in several Asian and European countries. Dr. Li Tongzeng, chief physician of the infectious disease department at Beijing You’an Hospital, highlighted that Japan declared the start of its flu season on October 3, five weeks earlier than usual. Similarly, South Korea issued a nationwide flu advisory on October 17, two months ahead of last year’s timeline. Europe is also experiencing a surge, with the UK, Italy, and Germany reporting increased flu cases. The H3N2 strain of influenza A, which dominated recent outbreaks in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, accounts for over 90% of flu samples tested in China from October 6 to 12. Dr. Li warned that since last year’s primary strain was H1N1, the public may have reduced immunity to H3N2, necessitating heightened precautions. The H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B strains are the main culprits behind seasonal flu epidemics, causing symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and headache. Dr. Li advises the public to get vaccinated promptly, stock essential medications, and seek early testing and antiviral treatment if symptoms arise. Jiang Jianmin, a researcher at the Zhejiang Provincial CDC, emphasized that individuals aged 60 and above, those with chronic illnesses, and infants over six months old are priority groups for vaccination. Healthcare workers, nursing home staff, and caregivers of infants under six months are also urged to get vaccinated. The early flu surge underscores the importance of proactive measures to curb the spread and protect vulnerable populations.
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6 arrested after protesters clash with police outside Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers
In a disturbing turn of events, six individuals were apprehended following a violent confrontation outside the CityWest Hotel in Saggart, near Dublin. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday evening, saw a crowd hurl bricks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement officers, culminating in the burning of a police van. The Garda Siochana, Ireland’s national police force, reported that one officer sustained a foot injury during the melee. The unrest was reportedly incited by allegations of a sexual assault in the vicinity, prompting hundreds of demonstrators, many brandishing Irish tricolor flags, to gather outside the hotel. Attempts to breach the police line using horse-drawn carts were met with pepper spray as officers sought to disperse the crowd. Police Commissioner Justin Kelly denounced the actions as “thuggery” by a “mob intent on violence,” while Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasized that there was “no justification” for the disorder. This incident is part of a broader pattern of protests targeting hotels housing asylum-seekers in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Britain, often fueled by anti-immigration sentiments and far-right rhetoric. In a related development, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that a man had been arrested and appeared in court over the alleged sexual assault in Saggart. He lamented the exploitation of crime to sow societal discord, reiterating that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, violence is inexcusable.
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Professor’s work preserves script created by women
In a remarkable journey spanning over four decades, Professor Zhao Liming of Tsinghua University has dedicated her life to the preservation and study of Nvshu, the world’s only script exclusively created and used by women. Now 78 and retired, Zhao remains as passionate as ever about this unique writing system, which originated in Jiangyong county, Hunan province, during a time when formal education was largely inaccessible to women. Nvshu, characterized by its delicate, slanted strokes of dots and arcs, served as a private medium for women to express their emotions, document their lives, and support one another in a patriarchal society. Zhao first encountered Nvshu in the 1980s while teaching at Tsinghua’s Department of Chinese Language and Literature. Her fascination with the script led her to conduct extensive field research in Jiangyong, often traveling on hard-seat trains and trekking through remote mountainous areas to gather information before the script vanished entirely. Zhao’s work revealed that Nvshu was not related to ethnic scripts like Miao or Yao but was a local variant derived from Mandarin, confined to a small geographical area she termed a ‘script island.’ The urgency of her mission was underscored by the passing of Yi Nianhua, an elder Nvshu inheritor, before Zhao could deliver asthma medication to her. This loss deepened Zhao’s resolve to preserve the script, which was traditionally buried or cremated with its practitioners, leaving little behind for future generations. With support from Tsinghua University and fellow researchers, Zhao published a comprehensive book on Nvshu in 1992 and later developed a digital Nvshu character set, successfully lobbying for its inclusion in the International Unicode Standard in 2015. According to Zhao, Nvshu represents a unique form of ‘Eastern feminism,’ offering women a private outlet for self-expression and emotional support without directly confronting the patriarchal system. Though the era of natural Nvshu transmission ended with the death of its last traditional inheritor in 2004, Zhao believes the script’s legacy endures as a symbol of female resilience and cultural identity. Today, Nvshu has gained global attention and inspired new generations, evolving from a hidden women’s script into a celebrated cultural artifact. ‘Nvshu was like a meteor — it shone brightly and fulfilled its mission,’ Zhao said. ‘Now, women have access to education and can travel freely. Nvshu’s initial purpose may be complete, but its spirit lives on.’ Even in retirement, Zhao continues to study and promote Nvshu, driven by a belief in its beauty and historical significance.
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Trump nominee withdraws after offensive texts allegedly emerge
Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), has withdrawn his candidacy following the revelation of a series of offensive text messages he allegedly sent. Ingrassia, 30, cited insufficient Republican support as the reason for his withdrawal. The controversy erupted after Politico reported that Ingrassia had described himself as having a ‘Nazi streak’ in a group chat. Several Republican senators, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Florida Senator Rick Scott, expressed their opposition to his nomination. Ingrassia, a former right-wing podcast host and current White House liaison at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stated on X that he would continue to support President Trump’s agenda. His lawyer, Edward Paltzik, suggested the messages could be AI-generated and characterized them as satirical. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, condemned the messages as disqualifying. This incident marks the third high-profile withdrawal of a Trump nominee in recent weeks.
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China bolsters governance as AI usage, popularity rise
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into the daily lives and professional activities of millions, China is reinforcing its regulatory and institutional frameworks to ensure the sector’s healthy and sustainable development. According to a recent report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the number of generative AI users in China surged to 515 million by June 2025, marking a significant increase of 266 million since December 2024. This exponential growth underscores the technology’s transition from experimental use to widespread practical application. Liu Yulin, director of the CNNIC, highlighted that AI has evolved from a laboratory concept into a transformative force reshaping production and lifestyle across the nation. Zhang Xiao, deputy director of the CNNIC, emphasized the growing popularity of domestically developed large AI models, which are driving the intelligent transformation of various industries. The report reveals that the most utilized functions of generative AI include answering questions, office assistance, and content creation, such as generating images and videos. Notably, younger, middle-aged, and highly educated individuals form the core user base, with those under 40 accounting for 74.6% of users and 37.5% holding at least a junior college degree. Social media platforms like Weibo have become hubs for users to share their positive experiences with AI, from enhancing work efficiency to providing emotional support. The rapid adoption of AI has also spurred a surge in AI-related products, with 538 generative AI services registered with the Cyberspace Administration of China by August 2025, a 192-service increase since March. China’s leadership in AI innovation is further evidenced by its 1.58 million AI-related patent applications, representing 38.58% of the global total. To ensure the responsible development of AI, China has introduced a series of policies and regulations, including interim measures for managing generative AI services and guidelines for establishing a national standardization system. Zhang Xiao stressed that these measures provide a robust institutional foundation for the sector’s orderly growth, supporting China’s broader goals of high-quality development. Legal experts have also advocated for risk-based classification and regulation of AI applications, reflecting the nation’s proactive approach to balancing innovation with governance.
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Shanghai exhibition tells vivid stories of war heroes
A groundbreaking exhibition honoring war heroes has opened at the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai. Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the exhibition features 362 artifacts unearthed from three provinces—Shanxi, Hebei, and Anhui. These relics, combined with advanced technological archaeology, vividly narrate the life trajectories of war heroes, shedding light on their sacrifices and the enduring spirit of resistance. The exhibition employs holographic imaging, 3D printing, and DNA analysis to bring these stories to life, offering visitors a tangible connection to history. Among the highlights is the story of martyr Cui Haizhi, whose remains were identified after decades of anonymity, reuniting him with his family. The exhibition also showcases artifacts from battles in Suning and Quanjiao, including a poignant round mirror clutched by a fallen soldier. Running until December, the exhibition serves as a powerful tribute to the undying spirit of those who fought for freedom and justice.
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Dublin violence orchestrated online, Irish police say
Irish authorities have pledged to pursue those responsible for the violent clashes that erupted during a protest outside a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, saw Gardaí (Irish police) attacked with bricks, fireworks, and glass bottles. A female officer sustained a foot injury, while a police helicopter was targeted with lasers and a police vehicle was set ablaze. Garda Ch Supt Michael McNulty, the scene commander, described the violence as orchestrated by “disparate groups on social media, who stir up hatred and violence.” He emphasized that the protest was far from peaceful, labeling the actions as “thuggery” and an attempt to intimidate and injure. Approximately 300 officers, including half from the public order unit, were deployed to manage the situation. While a water cannon was on standby, it was not used. Officers on horseback and a dog unit were also present. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that around 2,000 people attended the protest, with some attempting to breach the police cordon using horse-drawn carts. Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemned the attacks, stating there was no justification for such violence. Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary reiterated that the violence was “unacceptable” and vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible, regardless of attempts to conceal their identities. The area remains cordoned off, with debris scattered and a burnt-out police van visible. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly condemned the actions as “thuggery,” while RTÉ’s crime correspondent Paul Reynolds noted that the violence appeared pre-planned but was more contained than previous incidents. Detectives are already gathering high-quality CCTV and bodycam footage to identify further perpetrators.